Part 1 Amendment Application: Amendment to the 33 kV Overhead Powerline Layout for the Karreebosch Wind Energy Facility

Karreebosch Wind Farm (Pty) Ltd is constructing the Karreebosch Wind Energy Facility (WEF) and associated infrastructure between Matjiesfontein and Sutherland, within the Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The project comprises wind energy generation infrastructure, including turbines, access roads, and associated electrical infrastructure such as the 33 kV overhead powerline (OHL).

Environmental Authorisation (EA) for the Karreebosch WEF was granted on 29 January 2016 (DFFE Reference: 14/12/16/3/3/2/807), with several subsequent amendments issued, including approval of the final layout and Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) in December 2022. Construction of the authorised facility commenced within the validity period of the EA and is currently underway.

Karreebosch Wind Farm (Pty) Ltd is applying for a Part 1 Amendment in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014 (as amended), to amend a portion of the approved 33 kV overhead powerline layout. The amendment entails the re-routing of approximately 1.8 km of the 33 kV OHL by approximately 120 m to the east of the approved alignment. This change is required due to engineering considerations, specifically the identification of the originally approved alignment within the 1:100-year floodline, as well as landowner preferences.

The proposed amendment falls within the ambit of a Part 1 Amendment, as it does not change the scope of the authorised development nor increase the level or nature of impacts previously assessed. Specialist inputs have confirmed that the proposed re-routing remains within the assessed corridor and will not result in any additional environmental impacts. In fact, the revised alignment may reduce potential impacts on the freshwater environment by avoiding the floodline.

SLR Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (SLR) has been appointed by Karreebosch Wind Farm (Pty) Ltd to undertake the amendment application process in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (as amended). This amendment application is being compiled in accordance with the EIA Regulations, 2014 (as amended), and includes a motivation for the proposed layout change, supported by specialist input and a public participation process as required by the competent authority.

Status

Notice is hereby given that the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has approved the Part 1 Amendment Application for the Karreebosch Wind Farm and Associated Infrastructure. The amendment approval was issued on 31 July 2026 and relates to the re-routing of a portion of the authorised 33 kV overhead powerline.

The EA Amendment Approval Letter can be downloaded from this webpage. The Amendment Approval Letter outlines, amongst others, the Department's decision regarding the amendment application, details of the approved amendment, the reasons for the decision, and the appeal process in terms of the National Appeal Regulations, 2025.

Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) are hereby informed that any person wishing to appeal the Department's decision may do so in accordance with Section 43 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), as amended, and the National Appeal Regulations, 2025. Appeals must be submitted within twenty (20) days from the date on which notification of the decision was sent to registered I&APs.